Mi querida familia,

My miracle story this week is three events that all happened on the same night. We were making copies for english class at the locutorio of a member. While we were waiting for the copies, I told an older Spaniard gentleman that I liked his glasses, which were plaid. He started talking and kept talking! It sounded like he was just excited to have someone listen. He wasn´t very interested in the gospel, but he was interested in english class when we told him and he even called the next day to apologize for not being able to come. This was a great confidence builder to me that it´s not really about what you say--it´s just about doing it and so many people just need someone to listen.

On our way home from the locutorio, we stopped to help a young lady carry the trash from a panadería to the garbage. She was very nice and grateful for the help as well. Not a minute later, we realized we were walking behind a lady in our ward, her investigator friend that we have been teaching but were unable to connect with this week and the member´s sister who is not a member. We were able to set up a noche de hogar with all of them and get the member´s correct number so we can get ahold of them now. After a rough day and rough week, it felt really good to just know that we were in the right places at the right times, even if our numbers weren´t as great as we would like or show it. This has been a hard thing for me to handle with weeks of low numbers, but it is helping me learn the real reasons behind the numbers and how I want to work effectively the rest of my mission. Everything we go through is preparation for something else--if we are willing to take the time to learn the lessons.

I, quite simply, have the bestest family and friends in the whole wide world and the UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never really understood so much before the mission--especially how much I love my family and friends. All it takes is a few simple words or deeds to show it and I´m working hard to not forget it. I have been so blessed this week and YOUR prayers and YOUR birthday wishes and YOUR love has kept me going. <-not an exaggeration.

I just got back from a preparation day in Pamplona with Elder Dalton! We played some sports in the park with other missionaries in the zone and it was just what I needed. Elder Dalton takes such good care of me and is so sweet. I love being here with him and seeing each other grow and learn and just being missionaries. He is really an example to me of so many things.

Transfers are this week and I will be committing...HOMICIDE!!!!!!!!!!! Thats´s right, mission language--I will be "killing" Hna Fuentes (sending her home). I have no idea what that means for me or where I´ll be this week, if I get to go to Barcelona with her or not, no idea. But I was told that a bunch of missionaries got their visas and are coming and 6 hermanas are going home this week, so it´s going to shake things up. And we all know how much I love shaking things up! muahahahaha There aren´t enough experienced hermanas to train or hermanas to keep all the areas open and a new set in Bilbao...so basically I am telling you I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT I LOVE IT! CHANGE!!!!! Bring it on. I´m so ready.

Mom, thanks for the news, you know how much I like to know things. Give Thave(Thea and Dave) my love and congrats. What is their baby´s name? That is so exciting!

Speaking of exciting, THAT IS AMAZING ABOUT SPENCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Utah cousin called to Arizona Phoenix Mission spanish speaking) Wow, qué bien. That should be fun-- that might have been Braden´s mission? Unsure.

I can´t wait to tell you about what has happened next week--pray for us! And remember like I do, everyday, the scriptures say "and it came to pass," not "and it came to stay" :-) Much spanish love,

Hermana Dalton